Table of Contents
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark
One)
x
|
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
|
FOR THE
QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED June 30, 2009
o
|
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
|
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
COMMISSION
FILE NUMBER: 000-26781
INSURE.COM,
INC.
(EXACT NAME OF
REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE
|
|
36-3299423
|
(State of
Incorporation)
|
|
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
|
8205
South Cass Avenue, Suite 102
Darien,
Illinois 60561
(Address of
principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
(630)
515-0170
(Registrants
telephone number, including area code)
(Former name,
former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark
whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file
such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the
past 90 days. Yes
x
No
o
Indicate by check mark
whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate
Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and
posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of
this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that
the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
o
No
o
Indicate by check mark
whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated
filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer
o
|
|
Accelerated filer
o
|
|
|
|
Non-accelerated
filer
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
|
|
Smaller
reporting company
x
|
Indicate by check mark
whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes
o
No
x
APPLICABLE ONLY TO
CORPORATE ISSUERS:
6,764,358 shares
of the registrants common stock, net of treasury shares, were outstanding as
of July 31, 2009.
Table of
Contents
PART 1.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INSURE.COM,
INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and equivalents
|
|
$
|
1,036,871
|
|
$
|
927,308
|
|
Certificates of deposit
|
|
2,427,000
|
|
3,446,000
|
|
Fixed maturity investments-available for sale at
fair value
|
|
2,504,935
|
|
2,159,985
|
|
Commissions receivable, less allowances
(2009-$737,000; 2008-$605,000)
|
|
3,455,095
|
|
2,902,394
|
|
Other assets
|
|
378,219
|
|
484,860
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
9,802,120
|
|
9,920,547
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed maturity investments-available for sale at
fair value
|
|
3,065,520
|
|
2,448,155
|
|
Furniture, equipment and computer software at cost,
less accumulated depreciation (2009-$4,225,000; 2007-$4,049,000)
|
|
1,162,587
|
|
1,270,225
|
|
Intangible assets at cost, less accumulated
amortization (2009-$2,785,000; 2008-$2,563,000)
|
|
1,341,781
|
|
1,563,093
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
3,117,470
|
|
3,117,470
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
18,489,478
|
|
$
|
18,319,490
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities-current
|
|
$
|
2,125,712
|
|
$
|
1,957,437
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
|
2,125,712
|
|
1,957,437
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; shares
authorized: 5,000,000; shares issued and outstanding: 0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.003 par value; shares authorized:
60,000,000; shares issued: 9,691,276; shares outstanding: 2009-6,764,358,
2008-6,773,058
|
|
29,074
|
|
29,074
|
|
Additional paid in capital
|
|
77,155,756
|
|
77,154,879
|
|
Retained earnings deficit
|
|
(55,025,066
|
)
|
(54,977,694
|
)
|
Treasury stock at cost: 2009-2,926,918 shares;
2008-2,918,218 shares
|
|
(5,813,608
|
)
|
(5,792,972
|
)
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
17,610
|
|
(51,234
|
)
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
16,363,766
|
|
16,362,053
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
18,489,478
|
|
$
|
18,319,490
|
|
See
accompanying notes.
3
Table of
Contents
INSURE.COM,
INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
Quarter ended
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and fees
|
|
$
|
4,104,727
|
|
$
|
4,055,690
|
|
$
|
8,127,821
|
|
$
|
8,023,354
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
4,104,727
|
|
4,055,690
|
|
8,127,821
|
|
8,023,354
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling and marketing
|
|
981,617
|
|
1,028,064
|
|
1,574,802
|
|
2,308,691
|
|
Operations
|
|
2,343,283
|
|
1,996,948
|
|
4,639,621
|
|
4,231,798
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
880,179
|
|
872,388
|
|
1,699,828
|
|
1,744,066
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
208,454
|
|
200,294
|
|
397,764
|
|
407,822
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
4,413,533
|
|
4,097,694
|
|
8,312,015
|
|
8,692,377
|
|
Operating loss
|
|
(308,806
|
)
|
(42,004
|
)
|
(184,194
|
)
|
(669,023
|
)
|
Investment income
|
|
69,002
|
|
98,922
|
|
136,822
|
|
213,511
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(239,804
|
)
|
$
|
56,918
|
|
$
|
(47,372
|
)
|
$
|
(455,512
|
)
|
Net income (loss) per common share, basic and
diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.04
|
)
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
$
|
(0.06
|
)
|
Weighted average common shares and equivalents outstanding, basic
|
|
6,764,358
|
|
7,113,576
|
|
6,767,321
|
|
7,197,357
|
|
diluted
|
|
6,764,358
|
|
7,150,896
|
|
6,767,321
|
|
7,197,357
|
|
See accompanying notes.
4
Table of
Contents
INSURE.COM, INC.
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of
|
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
Retained-
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Par
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
Earnings
|
|
Treasury
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
Stockholders
|
|
|
|
Issued
|
|
Value
|
|
Capital
|
|
Deficit
|
|
Stock
|
|
Income
(Loss)
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at January 1
|
|
9,691,276
|
|
$
|
29,074
|
|
$
|
77,145,919
|
|
$
|
(53,979,154
|
)
|
$
|
(3,954,997
|
)
|
$
|
3,014
|
|
$
|
19,243,856
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(998,540
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(998,540
|
)
|
Other
comprehensive loss-net unrealized loss on investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(54,248
|
)
|
(54,248
|
)
|
Total
comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,052,788
|
)
|
Stock
option compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,960
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,960
|
|
Purchase
of 510,052 shares of treasury stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,837,975
|
)
|
|
|
(1,837,975
|
)
|
Balance
at December 31
|
|
9,691,276
|
|
29,074
|
|
77,154,879
|
|
(54,977,694
|
)
|
(5,792,972
|
)
|
(51,234
|
)
|
16,362,053
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six
months ended June 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(47,372
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(47,372
|
)
|
Other
comprehensive loss-net unrealized loss on investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68,844
|
|
68,844
|
|
Total
comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,472
|
|
Stock
option compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
877
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
877
|
|
Purchase
of 8,700 shares of treasury stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20,636
|
)
|
|
|
(20,636
|
)
|
Balance
at June 30 (unaudited)
|
|
9,691,276
|
|
29,074
|
|
77,155,756
|
|
(55,025,066
|
)
|
(5,813,608
|
)
|
17,610
|
|
16,363,766
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes.
5
Table of
Contents
INSURE.COM,
INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(47,372
|
)
|
$
|
(455,512
|
)
|
Adjustments
to reconcile to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
expense
|
|
176,452
|
|
167,371
|
|
Stock
option expense
|
|
877
|
|
7,958
|
|
Commissions
receivable
|
|
(552,701
|
)
|
30,680
|
|
Amortization
of investments
|
|
12,139
|
|
(113,165
|
)
|
Amortization
of intangible assets
|
|
221,312
|
|
240,451
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
168,275
|
|
135,380
|
|
Other
|
|
106,641
|
|
20,107
|
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
85,623
|
|
33,270
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
of investments
|
|
(2,058,610
|
)
|
(383,539
|
)
|
Purchase
of certificates of deposit
|
|
(489,000
|
)
|
(2,603,000
|
)
|
Proceeds
of investment maturities
|
|
1,153,000
|
|
6,050,000
|
|
Proceeds
of certificate of deposit maturities
|
|
1,508,000
|
|
|
|
Purchase
of furniture, equipment and computer software
|
|
(68,814
|
)
|
(92,895
|
)
|
Net
cash provided by investing activities
|
|
44,576
|
|
2,970,566
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
of treasury stock
|
|
(20,636
|
)
|
(1,235,739
|
)
|
Net
cash used by financing activities
|
|
(20,636
|
)
|
(1,235,739
|
)
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
109,563
|
|
1,768,097
|
|
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period
|
|
927,308
|
|
2,072,117
|
|
Cash and equivalents at end of period
|
|
$
|
1,036,871
|
|
$
|
3,840,214
|
|
See accompanying
notes.
6
Table of Contents
INSURE.COM, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMETS
(Unaudited)
1. Description of Business
Insure.com, Inc.,
formerly known as Quotesmith.com, Inc., (the Company) is an insurance
agency and brokerage. Since its
inception in 1984, the Company has been continuously developing a proprietary
and comprehensive insurance price comparison and order-entry system that
provides instant quotes for numerous life insurance products. The Company uses this database to provide
customers with a large array of comparative life insurance quotes online, over
the phone or by mail, and allows the customer to purchase insurance from the
insurance company of their choice either online or over the phone with the
Companys licensed insurance customer service staff. The Companys website also provides insurance
information and decision-making tools, along with access to other forms of
personal insurance, such as auto, homeowners, health, renters, long-term care
and travel insurance through various partners.
The Company generates revenues from the receipt of commissions and fees
paid by various sources, that are tied directly to the volume of insurance sales
or traffic that is produced, including industry-standard volume based bonus
commissions paid by participating life insurance companies. The Company conducts its insurance agency and
brokerage operations using salaried personnel and generates prospective
customer interest using traditional direct response advertising methods
conducted primarily offline.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The
accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial
information. Accordingly, they do not
include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete
financial statements. In the opinion of
management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals)
considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results
that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009. The Company has evaluated subsequent events
through August 7, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.
The
balance sheet at December 31, 2008 has been derived from the audited
financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information
and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the
FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements,
(ASC
820-10-05-1). SFAS No. 157 defines
fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands
disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 was effective for
financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15,
2007. In February of 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff position 157-2 which
delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and liabilities
which are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually)
until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. In October 2008, FASB issued Staff
Position No. SFAS 157-3, which clarifies the application of FASB SFAS No. 157
Fair Value Measurements. Staff Position No. SFAS. 157-3
provides guidance in determining the fair value of a financial asset when the
market for that financial asset is not active. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not
have a material effect on the financial statements.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business
Combinations, (ASC 805-10-10-1). SFAS
141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer (a) recognizes
and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the
liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, (b) recognizes
and measures the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a
bargain purchase, and (c) determines what information to disclose to
enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial
effects of the business combination.
This
7
Table of Contents
Statement supersedes SFAS 141, Business
Combinations, and applies prospectively to business combinations for which the
acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting
period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply it
before that date. Since the effective
date of SFAS 141(R), the Company has not had any business combinations which
would require the application of SFAS 141(R). SFAS 141(R) has not had a
material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the
FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated
Financial Statements an amendment of ARB No. 51 (SFAS 160), (ASC
810-10-10-65-1). SFAS 160 establishes
new standards for the accounting for and reporting of non-controlling interests
(formerly minority interests) and for the loss of control of partially owned
and consolidated subsidiaries. SFAS 160 does not change the criteria for
consolidating a partially owned entity. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2008. The provisions of SFAS 160 will be
applied prospectively upon adoption except for the presentation and disclosure
requirements which will be applied retrospectively. The adoption of SFAS 160
did not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial
statements.
3. Investments
The Companys assets and
liabilities recorded at fair value are categorized based upon a fair value
hierarchy in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements
(SFAS 157), (ASC 820-10-05-1). The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and
reliability of the information used to determine fair value.
The levels of the fair value hierarchy are
described below:
Level
1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the
measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level
2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable
for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted
prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical
or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other
than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (
e.g
, interest rates); and inputs that are
derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by
correlation or other means.
Level
3: Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and
unobservable.
Assets and liabilities
measured at fair value are based on one or more of the valuation techniques
noted in SFAS 157. The valuation techniques are described below.
Market approach
: The market approach uses prices and other
relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or
comparable assets or liabilities.
Cost approach:
The cost approach is based on the amount
that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset
(current replacement cost).
Income approach:
The income approach uses valuation
techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount.
The fair value of certain of
the Companys financial instruments, including Cash and cash equivalents,
Certificates of deposit, Accounts receivable, and Accounts payable,
approximates the carrying value due to the relatively short maturity of such
instruments. The following table presents
information about the Companys assets measured at fair value on a recurring
basis as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, and indicate the
fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to
determine such fair value.
8
Table of Contents
Assets
at Fair Value as of June 30, 2009
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government agency bonds
|
|
$
|
500,000
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
500,000
|
|
Corporate bonds and commercial paper
|
|
$
|
5,070,455
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
5,070,455
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
5,570,455
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
5,570,455
|
|
Assets
at Fair Value as of December 31, 2008
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government agency bonds
|
|
$
|
1,658,025
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
1,658,025
|
|
Corporate bonds and commercial paper
|
|
$
|
2,950,115
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
2,950,115
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
4,608,140
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
4,608,140
|
|
4. Income Per Share
Income
per share is calculated as follows:
|
|
Quarter Ended June 30,
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(239,804
|
)
|
$
|
56,918
|
|
$
|
(47,372
|
)
|
$
|
(455,512
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic shares outstanding
|
|
6,764,358
|
|
7,113,576
|
|
6,767,321
|
|
7,197,357
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted shares outstanding
|
|
6,764,358
|
|
7,150,896
|
|
6,767,321
|
|
7,197,357
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share, basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.04
|
)
|
$
|
0.01
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
$
|
(0.06
|
)
|
Basic
and diluted net loss per share reflects net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding. Diluted net
loss per share does not include the effect of common share equivalents where
the effect would be antidilutive. At June 30,
2009, there were a total of 385,016 common share equivalents outstanding.
9
Table of Contents
5. Commitments and Contingencies
The
Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of
business. The Company is not aware of
any legal proceedings or claims that are believed to have a material effect on
the Companys financial position.
10
Table of Contents
ITEM
2: MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Because we want to provide
you with more meaningful and useful information, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
includes forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and
projections about our future results, performance, prospects, and
opportunities. We have attempted to
identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as may, will,
expects, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, could, or
similar expressions. These
forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us
and are subject to a number of risks in 2009 and beyond. Actual results may differ materially from
those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors
include, without limitation: our ability
to achieve and sustain profitability; realization of sufficient revenue from
contract renewals previously acquired to prevent impairment of the acquired
asset; demand for life insurance; significant fluctuations in our quarterly
results; our ability to develop our brand recognition; our number of agency
contracts; our ability to generate revenue from the sale of non-life insurance
leads; our ability to manage our growth; providing accurate insurance quotes;
our ability to manage our expenses, quickly respond to changes in our
marketplace, and meet consumer expectations; the complexity of our technology
and our use of new technology; our ability to hire and retain senior management
and other qualified personnel; intense competition in the insurance industry;
our ability to keep pace with technological changes and future regulations
affecting our business; constraints of the systems we employ; and our ability
to raise additional capital if necessary.
See the section of this quarterly report entitled Risk Factors for a
description of these and other risks, uncertainties, and factors that may cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by,
these forward-looking statements.
You should not place undue
reliance on any forward-looking statements.
Except as required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances, or any
other reason after the date of this quarterly report. All references to we, us, our, and the Company
refer to Insure.com, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Overview
and Critical Accounting Policies
We
generate revenues primarily from the receipt of commissions paid to us by
insurance companies based upon the policies sold to consumers through our
service. These revenues come in the form of first year, bonus and renewal
commissions that vary by company and product. We recognize the full first year
commission revenues on term life insurance after the insurance company approves
the policy and accepts the initial premium payment. At the time revenue is
recognized, an allowance is recorded based on historical information for
estimated commissions that will not be received due to the non-payment of
installment first year premiums and any premium refunds made by the insurance
carriers. We recognize commissions on all other lines of business after we
receive notice that the insurance company has received payment of the related
premium. First year commission revenues
per policy can fluctuate due to changing premiums, commission rates, and types
or amount of insurance sold. We receive bonuses based upon individual criteria
set by insurance companies. We recognize bonus revenue in the period in which
it is earned. Bonus revenues are typically higher in the fourth quarter of our
fiscal year due to the bonus system used by many life insurance companies,
which pay greater amounts upon the achievement of certain levels of annual
production. Revenues for renewal
commissions are recognized after we receive notice that the insurance company
has received payment for a renewal premium. Renewal commission rates are
significantly less than first year commission rates and may not be offered by
every insurance company. We also generate revenues from the receipt of fees
paid by various sources that are tied directly to the volume of insurance sales
or traffic that we produce for such third-party entities. Our revenue recognition accounting policy has
been applied consistently to all periods presented in this report.
The
timing between when we submit a consumers application for insurance to the
insurance company and when we generate revenues has varied over time. The type
of insurance product and the insurance companys backlog are the primary
factors that impact the length of time between submitted applications and
revenue recognition. Over the past three years, the time between application
submission and revenue recognition has averaged over three months. Any changes
in the amount of time between submitted application and revenue recognition, a
significant portion of which is not under our control, will create fluctuations
in our operating results and could harm our business, operating results and
financial condition.
Operations
expenses are comprised of both variable and semi-variable expenses, including
wages, benefits, and expenses associated with processing insurance applications
and maintaining our database and web site. The historical lag between
11
Table of
Contents
the time an
application is submitted to the insurance companies and when we recognize
revenues significantly impacts our operating results as most of our variable
expenses are incurred prior to application submission.
Selling and
marketing expenses consist primarily of direct advertising costs. These costs are expensed in the period the
advertising is communicated.
Intangible assets
consist of the following:
|
|
Intangible Asset
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
Estimated
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
Amortization
|
|
Useful Life
|
|
Method
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance
contract renewals
|
|
$
|
3,538,000
|
|
$
|
2,278,000
|
|
10 years
|
|
Accelerated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-compete
agreement
|
|
589,000
|
|
507,000
|
|
6 years
|
|
Straight line
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
4,127,000
|
|
$
|
2,785,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fair value of
insurance contract renewals was estimated based on the actual policies in force
as of the acquisition date, and the renewal commission rates paid by each
insurance carrier. These commissions
were estimated to have a maximum useful life of ten years, based on the terms
of the contracts with the insurance carriers, and an annual lapse rate was
applied to the expected renewals for each carrier based on historical trends. Amortization is on an accelerated basis, as
renewal commissions will decline each year due to lapses. The ultimate realization of the value of the
contract renewals is dependant on a number of factors, including actual lapse
ratios, which can be affected by factors not under our control, such as death
rates and the pricing level of insurance policies that could be purchased to
replace the policies in the renewal stream. As a result, the actual amount
realized from the contract renewals acquired may differ significantly from the
amount recorded in the financial statements, causing impairment.
Our assets and
liabilities recorded at fair value are categorized based upon a fair value
hierarchy in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements
(SFAS 157), (ASC 820-10-05-1). The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and
reliability of the information used to determine fair value. The fair value of certain of our financial
instruments, including Cash and cash equivalents, Certificates of deposit,
Accounts receivable, and Accounts payable, approximates the carrying value due
to the relatively short maturity of such instruments. We classify our fixed maturity investments as
available-for-sale and, accordingly, such investments are carried at fair
value. The cost of fixed maturity
investments is adjusted for amortization of premiums and discounts and for
declines in value that are other than temporary. Temporary changes in the fair values of
investments are reflected directly in stockholders equity as accumulated other
comprehensive income or loss net of income taxes with no effect on net income
or loss. Realized gains or losses are
calculated using the specific identification method
Goodwill is not
subject to amortization. Allocation of
intangible assets between goodwill and other intangible assets and the
determination of estimated useful lives are based on valuations. The calculations of these amounts are based
on estimates and assumptions using historical and pro forma data and recognized
valuation methods. The use of different
estimates or assumptions could produce different results.
While goodwill is
not amortized, it is subject to periodic reviews for impairment (at least
annually, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise). We review goodwill for impairment
periodically and whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate
that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. Such impairment reviews are performed at the
entity level with respect to goodwill, as we have one reporting unit. Under those circumstances, if the fair value
were less than the carrying amount of the entity, further analysis would be
required to determine whether or not a loss would need to be charged against
current period earnings. No indicators
of impairment were noticed in our December 31, 2008 impairment review and
no impairment indicators have arisen since December 31, 2008. The determination of fair value and the
impairment are based on a
12
Table of Contents
combination of a
market valuation based on a comparison with similar public companies (guideline
company method) and a discounted cash flow analysis, which includes making
various judgmental assumptions, including assumptions about future cash flows,
growth rates and discount rates. The use
of different estimates or assumptions could produce different results. As of June 30, 2009, our net book value
(i.e., shareholders equity) was approximately $16 million, and our market
capitalization was approximately $12 million.
We believe that, when assessing whether goodwill impairment may exist,
the difference between the net book value and market capitalization as of June 30,
2009 is reasonable when market-based control premiums are applied. Also, in light of the volatility in the
equity markets and as our common stock is thinly traded with 74% of our common
stock held by affiliates, we do not consider the current trading price of our
common stock to be representative of the fair value of our reporting unit for
purposes of assessing goodwill impairment.
No income tax
credits have been recognized relating to our tax loss carryforwards due to
uncertainties relating to future taxable income.
Results
of Operations
Comparison
of the Quarters and Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008
Revenues
Revenues increased
$49,000, or 1.2%, in the quarter ended June 30, 2009 when compared to
revenue in the same quarter of 2008, and increased by $104,000, or 1.3% for the
six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the first six months of
2008. The components of revenue are as
follows:
|
|
Quarter
ended
|
|
Six
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life
insurance commissions
|
|
$
|
3,554,967
|
|
$
|
3,273,355
|
|
$
|
7,016,483
|
|
$
|
6,254,491
|
|
Click
revenue
|
|
470,589
|
|
697,592
|
|
949,215
|
|
1,570,422
|
|
Other
|
|
79,171
|
|
84,743
|
|
162,123
|
|
198,441
|
|
Total
revenue
|
|
4,104,727
|
|
4,055,690
|
|
8,127,821
|
|
8,023,354
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life insurance
commission revenue increased $282,000, or 9%, for the second quarter of 2009,
and increased $762,000, or 12% for the first six months of 2009, when compared
with the same periods in 2008. Total
policies sold in the second quarter increased 15% from 3,924 to 4,505,
accounting for the increase in quarterly revenue. For the first six months of 2009, policies
sold were 9,225, up 24% from policies sold in the first six months of
2008. The increase in paid policies can
be directly attributed to a larger staff of agents in our call center. Fees from the sale of insurance leads, also
referred to as click revenue decreased $227,000, or 33%, during the second
quarter, and decreased $621,000, or 40% for the first six months of 2009, when
compared with the revenue generated in the comparable periods in 2008. We reduced our advertising expenditures in
2009, which may have negatively impacted our revenue from the sale of insurance
leads. We have also reduced the sale of
excess life insurance leads, in favor of providing these leads to the agents in
our call center, further negatively impacting click revenue.
Expenses
Expenses increased
$316,000, or 8%, in the quarter ended June 30, 2009 when compared to
expenses in the same quarter of 2008.
Expenses for the first six months of 2009 decreased by $380,000, or 4%,
when compared to the comparable period in 2008.
The components of expenses are as follows:
13
Table of Contents
|
|
Quarter
ended
|
|
Six Months
Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling
and marketing
|
|
$
|
981,617
|
|
$
|
1,028,064
|
|
$
|
1,574,802
|
|
$
|
2,308,691
|
|
Operations
|
|
2,343,283
|
|
1,996,948
|
|
4,639,621
|
|
4,231,798
|
|
General
and administrative
|
|
880,179
|
|
872,388
|
|
1,699,828
|
|
1,744,066
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
208,454
|
|
200,294
|
|
397,764
|
|
407,822
|
|
Total
expenses
|
|
4,413,533
|
|
4,097,694
|
|
8,312,015
|
|
8,692,377
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling
and Marketing.
Selling and marketing expenses decreased
$46,000, or 5%, for the second quarter of 2009, and decreased $734,000, or 32%,
for the first six months of 2009, when compared to the same periods in
2008. We intentionally decreased ad
spending, as we were generating more leads for life insurance than our growing
call center could effectively handle. We also discontinued certain advertising
programs that were not providing leads as cost-efficiently as desired.
Operations.
Operations expenses increased $346,000, or
17%, in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same quarter last year and
have increased $408,000, or 10%, on a year-to-date basis. Higher wage costs associated primarily with a
larger staff of agents was the main reason for the increases in both
periods. Also, in the second quarter of
2008, we had a one-time $225,000 refund of prior period telephone service
charges, which reduced 2008 second quarter and year to date expenses.
General
and Administrative.
General and administrative costs
increased $8,000, or 1%, in the second quarter of 2009, and decreased $44,000,
or 3%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Lower compensation expense was the primary
cause of the year to date reduction.
Depreciation
and Amortization.
Depreciation and amortization charges
increased $8,000, or 4%, in the second quarter of 2009 when compared to the
results in the comparable period in 2008, but decreased $10,000, or 2%, in the
year to date period. Depreciation
expense increased $17,000 in the second quarter, as our new customer management
system went live and we began to depreciate the costs associated with it. This was partially offset by a decrease in
amortization expense related to the insurance contract renewals acquired in
2004, which declines each year, as described above.
Investment
Income
Investment income
decreased $30,000 in the second quarter of 2009, and $77,000 for the first six
months of 2009, due to a smaller bond portfolio caused by the repurchase of our
stock, and lower interest rates.
Income
Taxes (Credit)
We had no income
tax expense for 2009 due to loss carryforwards, and no income tax credit in
2009 due to valuation allowances provided against net deferred tax assets.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
We currently
expect that the cash and fixed maturity investments we now hold will be
sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next
12 months.
14
Table of Contents
On July 24, 2008,
our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 600,000 shares of
common stock, representing up to 8.5% of the total 7.0 million shares
outstanding as of that date. The Board
approved immediate commencement of the repurchase program as conditions
warrant. Future purchases may occur from
time to time in open market, block purchases or in negotiated transactions
using available cash. No date was
established for the completion of the program. As of July 31, 2009, we had
repurchased a total of 8,700 shares during 2009, and an additional 478,310
shares can be repurchased under the July 24, 2008 authorization.
The timing and
amounts of our working capital expenditures are difficult to predict, and
should we decide to purchase more shares of our common stock, engage in
acquisitions of companies or their assets, or begin new projects requiring
additional resources, we may require additional financing. If we require additional equity financing for
operations, it may be dilutive to our stockholders and the equity securities
issued in a subsequent offering may have rights or privileges senior to the
holders of our common stock. If debt
financing is available, it may require restrictive covenants with respect to
dividends, raising capital, and other financial and operational matters, which
could impact or restrict our operations.
If we cannot obtain adequate financing on acceptable terms, we may be
required to reduce the scope of our marketing or operations, which could harm
our business, results of operations, and our financial condition.
Our sources of
funds will consist primarily of commissions and fee revenue generated from the
sale of insurance products and leads, investment income, and sales and maturity
proceeds from our fixed income portfolio.
The principal uses of funds are selling and marketing expenses,
operations, general and administrative expenses and purchases of furniture,
equipment and software.
Cash provided by
operating activities was approximately $86,000 for the first six months of
2009, compared with cash provided by operating activities of $33,000 for the
same period in 2008. During the first six months of 2009, the net loss plus
non-cash expenses for depreciation, amortization and stock option expense, plus
the net increase in liabilities was more than enough to offset an increase in
commissions receivable. As discussed
above, net loss for the first six months of 2009 showed an improvement of over
$400,000 from the loss shown in the first six months of 2008, as revenue
increased by $104,000 while expenses decreased by $380,000. During the first six months of 2009,
commissions receivable increased $553,000 as a result of an increase in life
commission revenue. It also appears that
more customers are electing to pay their premiums other than annually, which
would also increase our receivables. Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities increased $168,000 in the same period primarily
due to the timing of payments being made.
In 2008, non-cash expenses for depreciation, amortization and stock option
compensation, along with a small decrease in commissions receivable and an
increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, were enough to offset the
net loss for the period.
Cash was provided
by investing activities during the first six months of 2009 in the amount of
$45,000, as investment maturities exceeded the reinvestment of funds and the
purchase of fixed assets. Cash provided
by investing activities was $3.0 million in the first six months of 2008, as
funds reinvested and used to purchase fixed assets were exceeded by the
proceeds from maturities in our bond portfolio.
Cash of $21,000
was used to repurchase the Companys common stock during the first six months
of 2009, accounting for the cash used by financing activities. Cash of $1.2 million was used by financing
activities in the first six months of 2008 to repurchase our stock.
ITEM 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The primary objective of our investment activities is
to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing yields without
significantly increasing risk. To
achieve this objective, we maintain a portfolio of cash and equivalents and
investments in a variety of securities including both government and corporate
obligations and money market funds.
Substantially all of our
investments are subject to interest rate risk.
We consider all investments as available-for-sale, and accumulated
unrealized gains on those investments totaled $18,000 at June 30, 2009.
There was an unrealized loss of $51,000
at December 31, 2008.
15
Table of Contents
We did not hold any
derivative financial instruments as of June 30, 2009, and have never held
such instruments in the past.
Additionally, all our transactions have been denoted in U.S. currency,
and we do not have any risk associated with foreign currency transactions.
Due to the
short-term nature of our investments, a 1% increase in interest rates would
decrease the fair value of our investments by an immaterial amount.
ITEM 4. Controls and
Procedures
We completed an
evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report under
the supervision and with the participation of management, including our
principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Based upon that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal
financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were
effective as of June 30, 2009 in ensuring that all material information
required to be filed in this quarterly report has been made known to them in a
timely fashion. There have been no
changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter
ended June 30, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1. Legal Proceedings
We are subject to
legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. We are not aware of any legal proceedings or
claims that are expected to have a material effect on our financial position.
Item 1A. Risk
Factors
Risks Related to Our Business
Our
insurance brokerage business has been profitable periodically and may not be
profitable in the future
Our first complete
year of focusing on our Internet based insurance service was 1997. We incurred operating losses each year
subsequent to 1997 through the six months ended June 30, 2009. Because of our overhead structure, including
the ongoing costs of employing highly-skilled technical personnel, we will need
to generate higher revenues than we did in 2008 in order to achieve
profitability. Even though we achieved
profitability in the second and third quarters of 2008 and the first quarter of
2009, we may not be able to maintain profitability in the future.
If the
term life insurance industry declines, our business will suffer because
approximately 81% of our 2008 revenues, and 86% of our revenues for the first
six months of 2009, were derived from the sale of term life insurance
For the year ended
December 31, 2008, approximately 81% of our revenue was derived from the
sale of individual term life insurance.
For the first six months of 2009, 86% of our revenue was derived from
the sale of individual term life insurance.
Because of this high concentration of revenue from one line of
insurance, our current financial condition is largely dependent on the economic
health of the term life insurance industry.
If sales of term life insurance decline, for any reason, our business
would be substantially harmed. In
addition, in recent years, term life insurance premiums have been
declining. If term life insurance
premiums continue to decline, it will become even more difficult for us to
become profitable.
16
Table of Contents
The
current economic situation may lead to reduced demand for life insurance
Our country is currently
going through an economic downturn, which has resulted in rising levels of
unemployment. If these economic
conditions result in a decreased demand for life insurance, as consumers use their
economic resources for other needs, our business could be harmed.
We
expect to continue to experience significant fluctuations in our quarterly
results, which makes it difficult for investors to make reliable
period-to-period comparisons and may contribute to volatility in our stock
price
Our quarterly revenues
and operating results have fluctuated widely in the past and may continue to
fluctuate widely in the future. Causes
of these fluctuations could or have included, among other factors:
·
changes in selling and marketing
expenses, as well as other operating expenses;
·
the length of time it takes for an
insurance company to verify that an applicant meets the specified underwriting
criteriathis process can be lengthy, unpredictable and subject to delays over
which we have little or no control, including underwriting backlogs of the
insurance company and the accuracy of information provided by the applicant; we
tend to place a significant number of policies with the most price-competitive
insurance companies, who, due to volume, have longer and more unpredictable
underwriting time frames;
·
volatility in bonus commissions paid to
us by insurance companies which typically are highest in the fourth quarter;
·
the conversion and fulfillment rates of
consumers applications;
·
new Web sites, services and products by
our competitors;
·
impairment charges against goodwill;
·
impairment charges against the land and
building;
·
price competition by insurance companies
in the sale of insurance policies; and
·
the level of Internet usage for insurance
products and services.
In addition, we have a
very long revenue cycle for term life insurance. The time from the date the application is
requested by the customer until revenue is recorded averages approximately
three months. As a result, substantial
portions of our expenses, including selling and marketing expenses, are
incurred and recorded in the financial statements well in advance of potential
matching revenue generation. If revenues
do not meet our expectations as a result of these selling and marketing
expenses, our results of operations will be negatively affected.
Any one or more of the
above-mentioned factors could harm our business and results of operations,
which makes quarterly predictions difficult and often unreliable. As a result, we believe that
quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results are not necessarily
meaningful and not good indicators of our future performance. Due to the above-mentioned and other factors,
it is possible that in one or more future quarters our operating results will
fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. If this happens, the trading price of our
common stock would likely decrease.
We must
further develop our brand recognition in order to remain competitive
There are many
other insurance brokers, insurance carriers and Web sites that offer services
that are competitive with our services.
Therefore, we believe that broader recognition and a favorable consumer
perception of the Insure.com brand is essential to our future success. Accordingly, we intend to continue to pursue
an aggressive brand-enhancement strategy
17
Table of Contents
consisting of
advertising, online marketing, and promotional efforts. If these expenditures do not result in a
sufficient increase in revenues to cover these additional selling and marketing
expenses, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be
harmed.
The
sale of internet leads for lines of insurance other than life insurance may not
generate a material amount of revenues for us
As
part of our marketing strategy, we sell internet traffic that comes to our Web
site and indicates an interest in an insurance product other than life insurance
to third party Web sites and others in order to increase the realized revenue
from visitors to our Web site, and at times have sold excess life insurance
leads. We generated fee revenues
totaling approximately $949,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2009,
and approximately $2.6 million from these sources during the year ended December 31,
2008. Most of the agreements with these
third parties permit either party to terminate the agreement with short
notice. As a result, we cannot assure
you that any of these relationships or agreements will be profitable or
generate any material amount of revenues in the future or not be
renegotiated. If our sales of non-life
insurance traffic do not meet our expectations regarding revenues and earnings,
our business could be harmed.
If we
lose any of our key executive officers our business may suffer because we rely
on their knowledge of our business
We believe that our
success is significantly dependent upon the continued employment and collective
skills of our executive officers, including founder and Chief Executive
Officer, Robert S. Bland, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, William V. Thoms. We maintain
key man life insurance policies on Messrs. Bland and Thoms and both of
these officers have entered into employment contracts with us. The loss of either of these two executives or
any of our other key executive officers could harm us.
The
former owner of Life Quotes has a limited non-competition agreement with us.
Kenneth Manley, the
former owner of Life Quotes, has a non-competition agreement with us that
prevents him from competing with us for up to six years. However, the agreement allows Manley to form
a life insurance agency with members of his family provided that he acts only
as a general agent placing business through Insure.com as managing general
agent. He is limited to being able to
produce a maximum of $2 million per year in commissionable premium, subject to
annual inflationary adjustments. This
arrangement could result in Manley obtaining business that we might otherwise
have obtained directly.
Risks
Related to the Insurance Industry
The
current economic crisis could lead to reduced capacity in the life insurance
industry
Concerns have been
raised regarding the economic viability of the parent holding companies of some
large US life insurance companies. The
most notable example is AIG, the parent company of American General Life
Insurance Company and Unites States Life Insurance Company. AIG received billions of dollars of federal
bail-out assistance, including direct U.S. Government investment and provision of a multi-billion dollar
credit facility. While assurances have
been given regarding the viability of the life insurance subsidiaries of these
affected holding companies, continued deterioration of the credit markets
could lead to a reduction in the
capacity of life insurers to accept new business. Life insurance capacity could also be
constrained by a deterioration in the financial viability of foreign and domestic
life reinsurance companies. Should there
be a reduction in life insurance capacity, life insurance premiums will likely
increase and underwriting guidelines could be tightened, and our business could
be harmed.
Our
bonus commission revenues are highly unpredictable and may cause fluctuations
in our operating results
Our bonus
commission revenues relate to the amount of premiums paid for new insurance
policies to a single insurance company.
In other words, if consumers purchase policies from a fewer number of
insurance companies our bonus commissions may be higher than if the same
policies were purchased from a larger number of insurance companies. The decision to purchase a policy from a
particular insurance company typically relates to, among other factors, price
of the policy and rating of the
18
Table of Contents
insurance company,
both of which are factors over which we have no control. Insurance companies often change their prices
in the middle of the year for competitive reasons. This may reduce the number of policies placed
with that insurance company which may then reduce our potential bonus
commissions. In addition, we have no
control over the bonus commission rates that are set by each individual
insurance company. As a result of these
factors, we are unable to control the amount and timing of bonus commission
revenues we receive in any particular quarter or year and these amounts may
fluctuate significantly. Bonus
commission revenues were $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30,
2009 and $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.
The
insurance sales industry is intensely competitive, and if we fail to
successfully compete in this industry our market share and business will be
harmed
The markets for the products and services we offer are
intensely competitive and characterized by rapidly changing technology,
evolving regulatory requirements and changing consumer demands. We compete with traditional insurance
distribution channels, including insurance agents and brokers, new
non-traditional channels such as commercial banks and savings and loan
associations, and a growing number of direct distributors including other
online services, such as IntelliQuote and SelectQuote.
We also potentially face
competition from a number of large online services that have expertise in
developing online commerce and in facilitating a high volume of Internet traffic
for or on behalf of our competitors. For
instance, some of our competitors have relationships with major electronic
commerce companies. Other large
companies with strong brand recognition, technical expertise and experience in
online commerce and direct marketing could also seek to compete in the online
insurance market.
There can be no assurance
that we will be able to successfully compete with any of these current or
potential insurance providers.
Insurance
companies that have appointed us as agents may cancel those appointments
Most of our agency
contracts allow the insurance company to cancel our agency appointment at any
time. Should any of the companies with
which we place significant amounts of business decide to cancel our appointments,
our business could be harmed.
Risks
Related to Regulation
Our
compliance with the strict regulatory environment applicable to the insurance
industry is costly, and if we fail to comply with the numerous laws and
regulations that govern the industry we could be subject to penalties
We must comply with the
complex rules and regulations of each jurisdictions insurance department
which impose strict and burdensome guidelines on us regarding our
operations. Compliance with these rules and
regulations imposes significant costs on our business. Each jurisdictions insurance department
typically has the power, among other things, to:
·
authorize how, by which personnel and
under what circumstances an insurance premium can be quoted and published;
·
approve which entities can be paid
commissions from insurance companies;
·
license insurance agents and brokers;
·
monitor the activity of our non-licensed
customer service representatives; and
·
approve policy forms and regulate some
premium rates.
Due to the complexity,
periodic modification and differing statutory interpretations of these laws, we
may not have always been and we may not always be in compliance with all these
laws. In addition, we have at times been
subject to regulatory
19
Table of
Contents
action for failing to
comply with these laws. Failure to
comply with these numerous laws in the future could result in fines, additional
licensing requirements or the revocation of our license in the particular
jurisdiction. These penalties could
significantly increase our general operating expenses and harm our
business. In addition, even if the
allegations in any regulatory action against us turn out to be false, negative
publicity relating to any allegations could result in a loss of consumer
confidence and significant damage to our brand.
We believe that because many consumers and insurance companies are not
yet comfortable with the concept of purchasing insurance online, the publicity
relating to any such regulatory or legal issues could harm our business.
If we
become subject to legal liability for the information we distribute on our Web
site or communicate to our customers, our business could be harmed
Our customers rely upon
information we provide regarding insurance quotes, coverage, exclusions,
limitations and ratings. To the extent
that the information we provide is not accurate, we could be liable for damages
from both consumers and insurance companies.
These types of claims have been brought, sometimes successfully, against
agents, online services and print publications in the past. These types of claims could be time-consuming
and expensive to defend, divert managements attention, and could cause
consumers to lose confidence in our service.
As a result, these types of claims, whether or not successful, could
harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, because we
have not been appointed as an agent for all of the life insurance companies
quoted on our Web site, we do not have contractual authorization to publish
information regarding the policies from insurance companies for whom we are not
appointed. Several of these insurance
companies have in the past demanded that we cease publishing their policy
information and others may do so in the future.
In some cases we have published information despite these demands. If we are required to stop publishing
information regarding some of the insurance policies that we track in our
database, it could harm us.
Risks
Related to the Internet and Electronic Commerce
Any
failures of, or capacity constraints in, our systems or the systems of third
parties on which we rely could reduce or limit visitors to our Web site and harm
our ability to generate revenue
We use both internally
developed and third-party systems to operate our service. If the number of users of our service
increases substantially, we will need to significantly expand and upgrade our
technology, transaction processing systems and network infrastructure. We do not know whether we will be able to
accurately project the rate or timing of any of these increases, or expand and
upgrade our systems and infrastructure to accommodate these increases in a
timely manner. Our ability to facilitate
transactions successfully and provide high quality customer service also
depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and
communications hardware systems. Our
service has experienced periodic system interruptions, and it is likely that
these interruptions will continue to occur from time to time. Additionally, our systems and operations are
vulnerable to damage or interruption from human error, natural disasters, power
loss, telecommunication failures, break-ins, sabotage, computer viruses, acts
of vandalism and similar events. We may
not carry sufficient business interruption insurance to compensate for losses
that could occur. Any system failure
that causes an interruption in service or decreases the responsiveness of our
service would impair our revenue-generating capabilities, and could damage our
reputation and our brand name.
Our
success depends, in part, on our ability to protect our proprietary technology
We
believe that our success depends, in part, on protecting our intellectual
property. Other than our trademarks,
most of our intellectual property consists of proprietary or confidential
information that is not subject to patent or similar protection. Competitors may independently develop similar
or superior products, software or business models.
We cannot guarantee that
we will be able to protect our intellectual property. Unauthorized third parties may try to copy
our products or business model or use our confidential information to develop
competing products. Legal standards
relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of proprietary
rights in Internet-related businesses are uncertain and still evolving. As a result, we cannot predict the future
viability or value of our proprietary rights and those of other companies
within the industry.
20
Table of Contents
We may be subject to claims of
infringement that may be costly to resolve and, if successful, could harm our
business
Our business
activities and products may infringe upon the proprietary rights of
others. Parties may assert valid or
invalid infringement claims against us.
Any infringement claims and resulting litigation, should it occur, could
subject us to significant liability for damages and could result in
invalidation of our proprietary rights.
Even if we eventually won, any resulting litigation could be
time-consuming and expensive to defend and could divert our managements
attention.
If
we are unable to adapt to the rapid technological change in our industry, we
will not remain competitive and our business will suffer
Our market is
characterized by rapidly changing technologies, frequent new product and
service introductions, and evolving industry standards. The recent growth of the Internet and intense
competition in our industry exacerbate these market characteristics. Our future success will depend on our ability
to adapt to rapidly changing technologies by continually improving the features
and reliability of our database and service.
We may experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the
successful introduction or marketing of new products and services. In addition, new enhancements must meet the
requirements of our current and prospective customers and must achieve
significant market acceptance. We could
also incur substantial costs if we need to modify our service or
infrastructures or adapt our technology to respond to these changes.
Demand
for our services may be reduced if we are unable to safeguard the security and
privacy of our customers information
A significant
barrier to electronic commerce and online communications has been the need for
secure transmission of confidential information over the Internet. Our ability to secure the transmission of
confidential information over the Internet is essential in maintaining consumer
and insurance company confidence in our service. In addition, because we handle confidential
and sensitive information about our customers, any security breaches would
damage our reputation and could expose us to litigation and liability. We cannot guarantee that our systems will prevent
security breaches.
Risks Related to the Ownership of Our
Common Stock
Zions
Bancorporation, together with two of our officers and directors, own a
significant portion of our stock and control Insure.com and their interests may
not be the same as our public stockholders
As of July 31, 2009,
Robert Bland, our chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, directly or
indirectly controlled approximately 31% of our outstanding common stock,
William Thoms, our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer,
directly controlled approximately 8% of our outstanding common stock, and Zions
Bancorporation controlled approximately 35% of our common stock. As a result,
if Zions and Messrs. Bland and Thoms act together, or if Zions and Mr. Bland
act together, they will be able to take any of the following actions without
the approval of additional public stockholders:
·
elect our directors;
·
amend
certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation,
·
approve a
merger, sale of assets or other major corporate transaction;
·
defeat any
takeover attempt, even if it would be beneficial to our public stockholders;
and
·
otherwise
control the outcome of all matters submitted for a stockholder vote.
If these persons act together and take any of the actions described
above, the interests of our other stockholders may be harmed. For example, these persons could discourage
or prevent potential mergers, takeovers or other change of control transactions
that could be beneficial to our public stockholders, which could adversely
affect the market price of our common stock.
They may also be able to prevent or frustrate attempts to replace or
remove incumbent management through their
21
Table of Contents
ability to elect directors.
Furthermore, they may choose to advance their own interests at the
expense of other stockholders, such as by acting to entrench themselves in a
management position or electing themselves as directors.
The investor rights agreement we signed with Zions
contains supermajority board voting provisions that could make it more
difficult for stockholders to change the policies of our Board of Directors and
elect new members to our Board of Directors
So long as Zions holds 40% of the shares issued to them, the investor
rights agreement we signed with Zions gives Zions the right to nominate or
appoint one member of our Board of Directors.
We must also receive a vote of 75% of our directors for us to:
·
authorize,
issue or sell any equity security (including options), other than certain
specified options or pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan (of which
there are presently 321,197 options available for grant under our stock option
plans and 63,929 shares available for purchase under our employee stock
purchase plan):
·
increase
the authorized number of shares of our stock;
·
enter into
any registration rights agreement;
·
repurchase
or redeem any of our securities other than on a pro rata basis;
·
(i) merge,
combine or consolidate with, or agree to merge, combine or consolidate with any
entity, (ii) purchase, or agree to purchase all or substantially all of
the securities of, any entity, or (iii) purchase, or agree to purchase,
all or substantially all of the assets and properties of, or otherwise acquire,
or agree to acquire, all or any portion of, any entity, in each case, for
consideration in an amount, which when combined with all other such
transactions in a fiscal year, exceeds $5,000,000;
·
(i) merge,
combine or consolidate with, or agree to merge, combine or consolidate with any
entity in which it is not the surviving entity or (ii) sell, assign,
convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
assets;
·
sell or
dispose of business or assets in excess of $1,000,000;
·
alter or
change materially and adversely the rights of holders of our common stock;
·
incur
indebtedness or guarantees in excess of $2,500,000 individually or $5,000,000
in the aggregate;
·
amend or
propose to amend our charter or bylaws
·
liquidate,
dissolve, recapitalize, or effect a stock split or reverse stock split, or
obligate ourselves to do so;
·
engage in
any other business other than the business we are currently engaged in; or
·
declare
any dividends or distributions.
The supermajority provision, combined with Zions right to nominate or
appoint one member of our Board of Directors, could discourage others from
initiating a potential merger, takeover or another change of control
transaction that could be beneficial to our public stockholders. In addition this supermajority provision
could make it more difficult for stockholders to change the members and
policies of the Board of Directors because any of the actions described above
would require the approval of six of our seven directors. As a result, the market price of our stock
could be harmed.
If Zions chooses to sell its stock, the market price
of our common stock could decrease and our ability to raise capital in the
public markets may be adversely affected
Zions currently owns 2,363,636 shares of our common stock. Sales of significant amounts of these shares,
or the perception that such sales will occur, could adversely affect the market
price of our common stock or our future ability to raise capital through an
offering of equity securities or debt securities convertible into equity
securities.
If our remaining goodwill becomes impaired, we will be
required to write off some or all of it against earnings, which may negatively
impact the price of our common stock
Our balance sheet contains goodwill in the amount of $3.1 million as a
result of our 2004 purchase of certain of the assets of Life Quotes, Inc. While goodwill is not amortized, it is
subject to periodic reviews for impairment (at least annually, or more
frequently if impairment indicators arise).
We review goodwill for impairment periodically and whenever events or
changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the
assets may not be recoverable. Such impairment
reviews are
22
Table of Contents
performed at the entity level with respect to goodwill, as we have one
reporting unit. Under those
circumstances, if the fair value were less than the carrying amount of the
entity, an indicator of impairment would exist and further analysis would be
required to determine whether or not a loss would need to be charged against
current period earnings. No indicators
of impairment were noticed in our December 31, 2008 impairment
review. The determination of fair value
and the impairment are based on a combination of a market valuation based on a
comparison with similar public companies (guideline company method) and a
discounted cash flow analysis, which includes making various judgmental
assumptions, including assumptions about future cash flows, growth rates and
discount rates. The use of different estimates
or assumptions could produce different results.
During 2009, and for as long as we have goodwill on our balance sheet,
we will continue to review for indicators of goodwill impairment. If it were determined that the fair value of
the entity were less than the carrying amount of the entity, an additional
impairment charge could be recorded.
Recording such a charge would decrease earnings and could lead to a
decline in the price of our common stock.
As a relatively small company with a history of
operating losses, the future trading market for our stock may not be active on
a consistent basis, which may make it difficult for you to sell your shares
The trading volume of our stock depends in part on our ability to
increase our revenue and reduce or eliminate our operating losses, which may
increase the attractiveness of our stock as an investment, thereby leading to a
more liquid market for our stock on a consistent basis. If we are unable to achieve these goals, or
an active market does not develop, the trading market for our stock may be
negatively affected, which may make it difficult for you to sell your
shares. If an active and liquid trading
market does not exist for our common stock, you may have difficulty selling
your shares.
Our common stock is currently trading at low prices,
which could further reduce the liquidity of the market for, and the price of,
our common stock
We believe that the current per share price level of our common stock
has reduced the effective marketability of our shares of common stock because
of the reluctance of many leading brokerage firms to recommend low-priced stock
to their clients. Certain investors view
low-priced stock as speculative and unattractive, although certain other
investors may be attracted to low-priced stock because of the greater trading
volatility sometimes associated with such securities. In addition, a variety of brokerage house
policies and practices tend to discourage individual brokers within those firms
from dealing in low-priced stock. Such
policies and practices pertain to the payment of brokers commissions and to
time-consuming procedures that function to make the handling of low-priced
stocks unattractive to brokers from an economic standpoint.
In addition, because brokerage commissions on low-priced stock
generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on
higher-priced stock, the current share price of the common stock can result in
individual stockholders paying transaction costs (commissions, markups or
markdowns) that represent a higher percentage of their total share value than
would be the case if the share price were substantially higher. This factor also may limit the willingness of
institutions to purchase the common stock at its current low share price.
We believe that the current price of our common stock may have a
negative impact on the liquidity and price of our common stock and investors
may find it more difficult to purchase or dispose of, or to obtain accurate
quotations as to the market value of, our common stock.
Certain provisions in our charter documents and
Delaware law, together with our concentration of stock ownership in a few
persons, could discourage takeover
attempts and lead to management entrenchment
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and
Delaware law contain anti-takeover provisions that could have the effect of
delaying or preventing changes in control that a stockholder may consider
favorable. The provisions in our charter
documents include the following:
·
we have a
classified Board of Directors with three-year staggered terms that will delay
the ability of stockholders to change the membership on the Board of Directors;
23
Table of Contents
·
our Board
of Directors has the ability to issue shares of preferred stock and to
determine the price and other terms, including preferences and voting rights,
of those shares without stockholder approval;
·
stockholder
action may be taken only at a special or regular meeting; and
·
we have
advance notice procedures that must be complied with by stockholders for them
to nominate candidates to our Board of Directors.
Our preferred stock purchase rights could cause substantial dilution to
any person or group who attempts to acquire a significant interest in
Insure.com without advance approval of our Board of Directors. We have amended our rights plan to exempt
acquisitions of shares of our common stock by Zions from the operation of the
rights plan. In addition, certain of our
executive officers have employment agreements that may entitle them to
substantial payments in the event of a change of control. We entered into amendments to our employment
agreements with Messrs. Bland and Thoms that exempted the issuance of
stock to Zions from constituting a change of control under these employment
agreements.
Furthermore, as of July 31, 2009, Messrs. Bland and Thoms,
together with Zions, directly or indirectly controlled approximately 74% of our
outstanding common stock. This high
concentration of stock ownership, together with the anti-takeover measures
described above, could prevent or frustrate attempts to remove or replace
incumbent management, including Messrs. Bland and Thoms. These persons may act to further their
interests as management rather than the interests of the public stockholders.
The foregoing could have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change in control of Insure.com, discourage bids for our common
stock at a premium over the market price, or harm the market price of, and the
voting and other rights of the holders of, our common stock. We also are subject to Delaware laws that
could have similar effects. One of these
laws prohibits us from engaging in a business combination with any significant
stockholder for a period of three years from the date the person became a
significant stockholder unless specific conditions are met.
Item 2. Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
c.
Issuer
purchases of equity securities. On July 24,
2008, the Companys Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to
600,000 shares of its common stock.
Following is information concerning the results of those programs during
the quarter ended June 30, 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Number of
|
|
Maximum Number of
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Average
|
|
Shares Purchased as Part
|
|
Shares that May Yet
Be
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
Price Paid
|
|
of Publicly Announced
|
|
Purchased Under the
|
|
Period
|
|
Shares
|
|
Per Share
|
|
Plans or Programs
|
|
Plans or Programs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 1 through
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 30, 2009
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
478,310
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 1 through
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 31, 2009
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
478,310
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 1 through
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
478,310
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
478,310
|
|
24
Table of Contents
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4. Submission of Matters To a Vote of Security
Holders
At our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, held on May 14, 2009,
stockholders voted to re-elect Bruce J. Rueben and Richard F. Gretsch to our
board of directors. Mr. Rueben
received 5,847,890 votes for his election, no votes against, 799,896 votes were
withheld, there were no abstentions and no broker-non votes. Mr. Gretsch received 5,867,601 votes for
his election, no votes against, 780,185 votes were withheld, there were no
abstentions and no broker-non votes.
Stockholders also voted to ratify the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP
as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31,
2009. There were 6,307,058 votes cast
for this proposal, 334,442 votes cast against, 6,286 votes withheld, no
abstentions and no broker non-votes.
Item 5. Other
Information
Not applicable.
Item 6.
Exhibits
Exhibit Number
|
|
Description
|
31.1
|
|
Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302
|
31.2
|
|
Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302
|
32.1
|
|
Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 1350
|
32.2
|
|
Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 1350
|
25
Table of Contents
Signature
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
INSURE.COM, INC.
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Date: August 7, 2009
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By: /s/ PHILLIP A. PERILLO
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Phillip A. Perillo
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
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26
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